Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Oklahoma, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 124-136.

This study examined the effects of the (Singapore) Model Method on elementary pre-service teachers' understanding fractions and attitudes toward teaching and learning mathematics. In particular, this study focused on fraction operation concepts in solving word problems. The study involved thirty-four elementary pre-service teachers enrolled in two sections of mathematics content and methods courses in the Teacher Education Program in a Midwestern public university. This study used quantitative data from an experimental design using an instructional intervention (Model Method). The instruments for data collection included a demographic questionnaire, mathematics attitude survey, fraction computation test, and fraction word problem test. To attain additional information for the instructional intervention and to verify the findings of the quantitative data, open- ended interviews were conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including MANOVA, ANCOVA and correlation analysis. The treatment group received six intensive lessons to learn fraction operation from word problems with a focus on the Model Method while the control group had traditional lessons with the same topics and materials. The findings show that using the Model Method in teaching fraction operation concepts helps the pre-service teachers to improve their conceptual understanding in solving word problems. After the Model Method instruction, an attitude survey and interviews were used and indicated that the experimental group had more positive attitudes and increased confidence and liking toward teaching and learning mathematics than the control group. Furthermore, the correlation analysis shows that the correlation between the pre-service teachers' fraction knowledge in solving word problems and computational problems was strong. This result indicates that higher conceptual knowledge can predict a higher level of procedural knowledge in fraction operations. The findings suggest that the Model Method is an effective teaching method to enhance students' fractional knowledge in learning problem-solving.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the attitude toward mathematics, including related mathematics anxiety, and the frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons by elementary school administrators. This study considered Approach-Avoidance Motivation as part of the conceptual framework guiding the research. Approach-avoidance motivation refers to a person's approach of tasks that are pleasant or enjoyable and avoidance of tasks that are disliked or not enjoyable. This research sought to answer the questions: 1. What is the academic background in mathematics of elementary school administrators? 2. What is the attitude toward mathematics of elementary school administrators? 3. What is the frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons by elementary school administrators? 4. What, if any, is the relationship between the attitude toward mathematics, including related mathematics anxiety, and the frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons by elementary school administrators? The participants in this study included elementary school principals and assistant principals in one school division in Virginia. Data were collected to investigate the mathematics background, attitude toward mathematics, and frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons by elementary school administrators. This study also examined the possible relationship between the attitude toward mathematics, including related mathematics anxiety, and the frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons. The attitude toward mathematics, including related mathematics anxiety, was found to have no relationship with the frequency of both formal and informal classroom observations of mathematics lessons conducted. The sample population data indicated positive attitudes toward mathematics and low levels of mathematics anxiety, which conflicts with some previous research (Dorward and Hadley, 2011; Hembree, 1990). The mathematics background of participants was found to be limited in the number of mathematics courses completed and teaching licensure endorsements specific to mathematics instruction. The findings provide educational leaders with relevant research related to attitude toward mathematics and the instructional leadership practice of observing mathematics classrooms. Central office and school leaders could benefit from explicit expectations relating to the observation of mathematics lessons in schools. / Ed. D. / The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the attitude toward mathematics, including related mathematics anxiety, and the frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons by elementary school administrators. This study considered aspects of avoidance theory as part of the conceptual framework guiding the research. Approach-avoidance motivation refers to a person’s approach of tasks that are pleasant or enjoyable and avoidance of tasks that are disliked or not enjoyable. Elementary school principals and assistant principals in one school division in Virginia participated in this study. Data were collected to investigate the mathematics background, attitude toward mathematics, and frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons by elementary school administrators. This study also examined the possible relationship between the attitude toward mathematics, including related mathematics anxiety, and classroom observations of mathematics lessons. The attitude toward mathematics, including related mathematics anxiety, was found to have no relationship with the frequency of classroom observations of mathematics lessons conducted. The study data indicated positive attitudes toward mathematics and low levels of mathematics anxiety in study participants, which conflicts with some previous research (Dorward & Hadley, 2011; Hembree, 1990). The mathematics background of participants was found to be limited in the number of mathematics courses completed and license endorsements specific to mathematics teaching. The findings provide educational leaders with relevant research related to attitude toward mathematics and the instructional leadership practice of observing mathematics classrooms. Central office and school leaders could benefit from explicit expectations relating to the observation of mathematics lessons in schools.

Quem tem medo da matemática? Essa pergunta me intrigou a vida inteira, eu que sou uma amante dos números. Mas, para além de meu interesse pessoal, estudos anteriores apontam que a dificuldade em lidar com conceitos matemáticos tem se refletido de forma expressiva nos erros conceituais cometidos pelos estudantes de Ciências Contábeis (Sanchez, 2013) em exames de suficiência do Conselho Federal de Contabilidade (CFC). Na formação em áreas de negócio, como Administração e Contabilidade, a carga das disciplinas obrigatórias da grade curricular do curso de graduação que envolvem matemática, pode alcançar 42% em Contabilidade e 29% em Administração na instituição estudada. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é investigar o impacto que a atitude em relação à matemática tem sobre estudantes de áreas de negócios, ao buscar identificar e entender os mecanismos de compensação que adotam para sobrepujar suas dificuldades ao longo da sua formação. A estratégia de pesquisa adotada foi qualitativa interpretativista. Para isso, foi selecionado um grupo de estudantes de uma disciplina introdutória de contabilidade, de uma instituição pública de ensino. Para esse grupo, apliquei um questionário que mede a atitude em relação à matemática, usando o modelo adaptado e validado por Brito (1998), além de questões adicionais para compreender o perfil de cada estudante e sua relação precedente com a matemática. O questionário permitiu obter, em uma escala de atitudes em relação a matemática, o nível de aversão ou afinidade matemática do respondente. A partir do cruzamento entre os resultados da aplicação do questionário de atitude em relação à matemática e do rendimento acadêmico do estudante na disciplina, classifiquei-os em seis grupos. Em um segundo momento, alguns dos estudantes foram entrevistados de forma a aprofundar a compreensão de sua relação com a matemática e as estratégias adotadas para obter aprovação nas disciplinas do primeiro e segundo semestres do curso, identificadas como tendo maior grau de conceitos matemáticos. As entrevistas realizadas permitiram ilustrar, exemplificar e corroborar os conceitos apresentados no referencial teórico diretamente ligados à manifestação da afinidade ou aversão à Matemática, que são: o reforço da percepção de ser um bom ou mau aluno de acordo com o rendimento acadêmico; a reprodução na forma de crenças de que a aptidão matemática é inata e que a matemática é exata; a associação de questões emocionais a situação adversas durante os estudos da matemática; o consenso entre os respondentes de que a repetição de exercícios é a forma mais eficaz de aprendizado em temas que envolvem a matemática; o entendimento de que as atuações profissionais futuras, bem como as possibilidades de escolhas de carreira, são limitadas pelo rendimento pregresso em matemática, e outras disciplinas; e uma falta de consenso sobre o curso de administração ser restrito ao desenvolvimento de capacidades instrumentais em detrimento do ato de pensar. O estudo dá subsídios para trabalhos futuros que buscarão formas de auxiliar os estudantes no processo de aprendizagem de conceitos matemáticos necessários para minimizar a ocorrência de erros conceituais em sua formação e, depois e como decorrência, em sua atuação profissional. Assim, quem sabe um dia, todos poderão amar matemática tanto quanto eu. / Who is afraid of mathematics? This question puzzled me all my life, I who am a lover of numbers. But, beyond my personal interest, previous studies (Sanchez, 2013) have pointed out that the difficulty in dealing with math concepts has been reflected in the conceptual errors made by Accounting students in the Brazilian Accounting Professional Body (Conselho Federal de Contabilidade [CFC]) professional accreditation exam. In business graduation, such as Administration and Accounting, a large load subjects at compulsory curriculum involves math, it may reach 42% at Accounting and 29% at Administration at the institution which is object of this study. The objective of this work is to investigate the impact that Mathophobia has on business students, in seeking to identify and understand the compensation mechanisms that the students use to overcome their difficulties throughout their formation. It applies a questionnaire to measures each student\'s attitude towards math, using the model adapted and validated by Brito (1998), and additional questions to understand the profile of each student and their previous relationship with math. This research adopted an interpretative qualitative strategy. The questionnaire allows to obtain, on a scale of attitudes towards mathematics, the highest level of mathematical anxiety of the student. From the results obtained by questionnaire, the student\'s academic performance at accounting discipline of the first semester is used to classify him/her into six groups. Next, some of the students are interviewed for understanding of their relationship with math and which strategies are adopted to obtain approval in the first and second semester courses identified with some level of math knowledge requirement. The interviews allowed to illustrate, to exemplify and to corroborate with the concepts presented in the theoretical framework that are directly related to the manifestation of affinity or aversion to Mathematics, such as: reinforcing of the perception of being a good or bad student according to academic achievement; reproduction in the form of beliefs, that mathematical aptitude is innate and that mathematics is accurate; emotional association with adverse situations during mathematics studies; consensus among respondents that repetition of exercises is the most effective form of learning in subjects involving mathematics; that future professional performances as well as the possibilities of career choices, are limited by the previous achievement in mathematics, and other disciplines; and a lack of consensus about the course of administration being restricted to the development of instrumental abilities rather than the act of thinking. The study provides insights for future work that will seek ways to assist students in the process of learning mathematical concepts necessary to minimize the occurrence of conceptual errors in their training and, consequently, in their professional performance. So, maybe someday, everyone can love math as much as I do.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the computer software Frizbi Mathematics 4 on 4th grade student&rsquo / s mathematics achievement, retention, attitudes toward mathematics and attitude toward computer assisted learning. Two groups (experimental and control) of primary school students from &ldquo / Sht. Osman Ahmet&rdquo / primary school in Gazimagusa, North Cyprus were used in this study. Control group was taught using a lecture-based traditional instruction and experimental group was taught using educational software, namely Frizbi Mathematics 4. The control group consisted of 26 students where the experimental group consisted of 29 students. The groups were compared on achievement of mathematics, retention, and attitude toward mathematics and computer assisted learning. The study was conducted in spring semester of 2006-2007 academic year and included three units, Multiplication of Natural Numbers, Division of Natural Numbers, and Fractions. Scores on achievement tests were collected three times / at the beginning of the study, immediately after the intervention, and 4 months later. Mathematics attitude scale and computer assisted learning attitude scale were administrated only two times / at the beginning of the study and immediately after the completion of the study. A series of ANOVAs for repeated measures revealed significant difference between the groups on the post achievement tests and attitude scales in favor of experimental group. However, statistically significant differences in favor of treatment group, on the retention tests was attained on the multiplication and division units but not on fractions. The evidence indicates that Frizbi Mathematics 4 for learning and teaching mathematics at the primary school level in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is an effective tool.

No description available.

Low achievement in Mathematics is a problem that faces schools, colleges and universities, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. Many efforts have been made to explore different ways in which teaching and learning can be more effective. ICT provides endless possibili–ties to enhance the teaching and learning of Mathematics. The purpose of this study is to determine teacher–students’ attitude towards ICTs in order to plan for effective, efficient and appropriate methods of Mathematics education. It further aims to determine to what extent these students will be willing to use ICTs in their own studies as well as in the teaching pro–cess in their classrooms, and aims to compare the students’ attitudes across three countries i.e. South Africa, Tanzania and Finland. The population consisted of Mathematics education teacher–students enrolled at the following institutions: School for Continuing Teacher Educa–tion (SCTE) at the North–West University in South Africa (317 students), the Iringa University College, University of Tumaini in Tanzania (111 students), and the University of Joensuu in Finland (56 students). This study followed a quantitative cross–sectional survey design com–prising a single mode research questionnaire to three groups of students in three countries. The instrument that was used was based on the Loyd and Gressard Computer Attitude Sur–vey (1984) (CAS), with a few additional questions to add to the relevance of this study. Questionnaires were completed by each group of students. The questionnaires were posted to each Mathematics teacher–student at the SCTE with a return envelope included. The re–searcher visited Tanzania and administered the questionnaire to the students at their univer–sity and some students in Finland completed the survey online while others completed a pa–per–based copy, which was returned to the researcher. Descriptive statistical techniques, reliability and validity of the instrument scale, inferential statistics (ANOVA), and cross–tabulations were used, and where appropriate, effect sizes were calculated. Findings indi–cated that the teacher–students have a positive attitude to computers and that they are willing to use ICTs in their own studies and in their teaching at school. The comparison of their atti–tudes revealed that the South African and Tanzanian teacher–students have a more positive attitude towards ICTs than the Finnish students. The teacher–students in the two African countries were also more willing to use ICTs than the students in Finland, despite their in–creased exposure and access to technology. To create an environment of effective Mathe–matics education, a number of factors play an important role. Mathematics education sup–ported by good pedagogical content knowledge can be transformed into effective Mathemat–ics education with the aid of a positive computer attitude and willingness to use technology. Together these aspects are supported by the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK) framework. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Low achievement in Mathematics is a problem that faces schools, colleges and universities, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. Many efforts have been made to explore different ways in which teaching and learning can be more effective. ICT provides endless possibili–ties to enhance the teaching and learning of Mathematics. The purpose of this study is to determine teacher–students’ attitude towards ICTs in order to plan for effective, efficient and appropriate methods of Mathematics education. It further aims to determine to what extent these students will be willing to use ICTs in their own studies as well as in the teaching pro–cess in their classrooms, and aims to compare the students’ attitudes across three countries i.e. South Africa, Tanzania and Finland. The population consisted of Mathematics education teacher–students enrolled at the following institutions: School for Continuing Teacher Educa–tion (SCTE) at the North–West University in South Africa (317 students), the Iringa University College, University of Tumaini in Tanzania (111 students), and the University of Joensuu in Finland (56 students). This study followed a quantitative cross–sectional survey design com–prising a single mode research questionnaire to three groups of students in three countries. The instrument that was used was based on the Loyd and Gressard Computer Attitude Sur–vey (1984) (CAS), with a few additional questions to add to the relevance of this study. Questionnaires were completed by each group of students. The questionnaires were posted to each Mathematics teacher–student at the SCTE with a return envelope included. The re–searcher visited Tanzania and administered the questionnaire to the students at their univer–sity and some students in Finland completed the survey online while others completed a pa–per–based copy, which was returned to the researcher. Descriptive statistical techniques, reliability and validity of the instrument scale, inferential statistics (ANOVA), and cross–tabulations were used, and where appropriate, effect sizes were calculated. Findings indi–cated that the teacher–students have a positive attitude to computers and that they are willing to use ICTs in their own studies and in their teaching at school. The comparison of their atti–tudes revealed that the South African and Tanzanian teacher–students have a more positive attitude towards ICTs than the Finnish students. The teacher–students in the two African countries were also more willing to use ICTs than the students in Finland, despite their in–creased exposure and access to technology. To create an environment of effective Mathe–matics education, a number of factors play an important role. Mathematics education sup–ported by good pedagogical content knowledge can be transformed into effective Mathemat–ics education with the aid of a positive computer attitude and willingness to use technology. Together these aspects are supported by the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPCK) framework. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.